World number three Iga Swiatek defeated Elena Rybakina in straight sets to advance to the Cincinnati Open final, where she will face Jasmine Paolini.
The victory, a 7-5 6-3 win on Sunday, sets up a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s French Open final, which Swiatek won in a dominant performance.
Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion, admitted the match against Rybakina was “tough.”
She said, “At the beginning it was pretty crazy, we played so fast that sometimes we couldn’t even run to the second ball.” She was happy with her performance and her ability to maintain “intensity and good quality.”
In the other semi-final, Italy’s Paolini outlasted Russian Veronika Kudermetova in a three-set battle, winning 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-3.
Kudermetova’s performance was hampered by a staggering 75 unforced errors throughout the match.
The final will take place on Monday night.
Swiatek will be looking to continue her impressive form, while Paolini hopes to turn the tables and secure her first title at the Cincinnati Open.
